[GDT] The Battle of Alberta Round III HNIC 8:00pm Mst

[Karl]

So no other lineup changes other than Elliott in for Johnson?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Karl

So no other lineup changes other than Elliott in for Johnson?

Jokipakka has played better in the last couple games, so I wouldn't expect any changes on D.

Was hoping Ferland would be ready to go though.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

Elliott has cost us games

Which games was he sole reason they lost? He's had poor games but I can't think of any where I thought he lost it for the team.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Jokipakka has played better in the last couple games, so I wouldn't expect any changes on D.

Was hoping Ferland would be ready to go though.

Me too, even though he's had a rough go of it his last 5 games.

Wonder who sits when Ferland comes back though.

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Which games was he sole reason they lost? He's had poor games but I can't think of any where I thought he lost it for the team.

Game 1 for starters.

SOG 48 to 28 and we still lose 4-7

[Toonage]

Re: Karl's question above
Bouma or Hathaway would sit for Ferland

[Beninho]

Elliott's wide stance results in huge rebounds and soft goals, his reactions are poor and often just hopes the puck hits him. Starting him today is a bad bad move. Can't wait to watch Wideman in a foot race with McDavid. We are handicapped every game with him in our top 4.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

I fully agree, major risk with Elliott in net for such a crucial game. Elliott has cost us games as he has given up 13 more goals than league average based on number of shots faced (GSAA). That equates to several points in the standings. Johnson has let in 7 fewer goals than league average based on number of shots faced (GSAA). That equates to a few points in standings stolen by Johnson. The stats are not even close. Johnson's 0.924 SV% is better than all of Kippers Flames seasons except for his lights out 2003-04 season!

Goalie Stats
Player W L T/O SV% GAA QS% GSAA
Chad Johnson 15 10 1 .924 2.25 .577 7.46
Brian Elliott 8 10 1 .889 2.95 .474 -12.59

Source: http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/CGY/2017.html

Interesting fact:
While his ES SV% is rough, Elliott has actually been the best goalie in the league when shorthanded over the past month (0.960ish), while Johnson has been dismal when the Flames are down a man all season.

This could mean a lot of things, or nothing. But Elliott was previously known as a high-pressure goalie. When the pressure goes up, he plays better. In a game like tonight, with a load of pressure and plenty of penalties for just looking at McDavid coming our way... Elliott might actually be the smart choice.

Either way, it's not great to compare the two season for season. Elliott has improved and Johnson has fallen off over their last month or so. There's no clear advantage today of using one over the other. Season-to-date stats tell the past, not the present or future.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

Game 1 for starters.

SOG 48 to 28 and we still lose 4-7

He was bad but the whole team played like complete ass. The whole team deserved equal blame on that one.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Interesting fact:
While his ES SV% is rough, Elliott has actually been the best goalie in the league when shorthanded over the past month (0.960ish), while Johnson has been dismal when the Flames are down a man all season.

This could mean a lot of things, or nothing. But Elliott was previously known as a high-pressure goalie. When the pressure goes up, he plays better. In a game like tonight, with a load of pressure and plenty of penalties for just looking at McDavid coming our way... Elliott might actually be the smart choice.

Either way, it's not great to compare the two season for season. Elliott has improved and Johnson has fallen off over their last month or so. There's no clear advantage today of using one over the other. Season-to-date stats tell the past, not the present or future.

I haven't noticed any improvements. He still looks like a bag of nerves, still usually let's in a soft goal and still has me wondering how he is splitting starts with Johnson. I have no confidence in Elliott whatsoever

[Beninho]

I say this usually every game day but any team that uses Wideman in their top 4 is setting themselves up for failure. I know someone is gonna get all pissy that I'm bringing this up but it just amazes me how management still puts him in the top 4. It's hard for me to watch every night and limits this teams potential at least for this season.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I do hope Connor gets a terrible cold sore though

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Well, with a girl from Edmonton, that's pretty much a guarantee.

NSFW!

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

So you are saying Johnson has been visually better?

I guess I am. Oy...

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

No. But do you deny the possibility that he would be additionally motivated to make amends for his season opening performance? Maybe you are a machine or some sort of impassive automaton, but I for one—like all people that I know—am prone to moments of extra adrenaline or an axe to grind. Why should Elliott be any different?

I want Elliott to win. When Elliott wins the Flames win.

I certainly want Elliott to win. But this is an important game and IMO Flames should be playing their best goalie, not the goalie who may have more to prove. Right now, Elliott has more to prove every time he starts. It seems like flawed logic to me, but maybe they see something in practice, Or just something about their relative mindsets. I hope it works but as I said, I'd rather see the better goalie. Does not make me a machine or an impassive automaton. Jeez.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

lol - He does have some acne issues (as do a lot of teenagers), maybe a zit popping gone wrong?

Can't really say much as Matty Tkachuk has to be the acne king of the NHL.

[The Fonz]

I feel sick. Elliott cannot allow 1 questionable goal tonight.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I feel sick. Elliott cannot allow 1 questionable goal tonight.

No, that's not it at all.
He needs to allow at least 1 less than Talbot.
Get the W.
That is all

[CsInMyBlood]

Elliott has to stand on his head some game, doesn't he?

I mean I've watched him do it multiple times in St.Louis and I don't even watch many St.Louis games.

How about tonight Elliott? Please?

[ricosuave]

What's your guesses on Oiler power plays tonight?

Double digits?

Elliott's due for a great game - it begins tonight!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Beninho

I say this usually every game day but any team that uses Wideman in their top 4 is setting themselves up for failure. I know someone is gonna get all pissy that I'm bringing this up but it just amazes me how management still puts him in the top 4. It's hard for me to watch every night and limits this teams potential at least for this season.

The Flames currently rank #11 in ROW in the NHL with Wideman playing a regular shift in the top four. The situation is not ideal, but it is far from as bad as you are insinuating.